Tragic E-Bike Accident Claims Life of 82-Year-Old Santa Cruz Woman
An 82-year-old woman has passed away in the hospital following a collision with a man riding an electric bicycle on Friday morning, according to the California Highway Patrol.
A crash occurred at approximately 5:50 a.m. on Opal Cliff Drive, just east of Court Drive. An 80-year-old man from Santa Cruz was riding an e-bike on the right shoulder of Opal Cliff Drive at an unspecified speed.
A Santa Cruz woman, aged 82, was walking east of a bicyclist, according to CHP. The two collided for reasons that remain unclear. A woman sustained serious injuries and was transported by air ambulance to Valley Medical Center.
She succumbed to her injuries at the hospital, according to CHP.
Helen “Pookie” Hines has been identified as the victim by her daughter, Cindy Diola. Diola reported that her mother was out for her morning walk when she was struck.
A man sustained injuries and was transported to Dominican Hospital via ground ambulance.
Authorities are looking into what caused the crash. The CHP reports that there is currently no indication of drugs or alcohol being involved.
Diola described her mother as the matriarch of the family, who was a “vibrant, active, fun-loving lady who was a loving mom, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, wife, crafter and all-around beautiful person. Not a mean bone in her body. Very giving, had a lot of grace and a huge family.”
She mentioned that her mother had been walking Opal Cliffs for 25 years.
Diola described her mother as the matriarch of the family, who was a “vibrant, active, fun-loving lady who was a loving mom, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, wife, crafter and all-around beautiful person. Not a mean bone in her body. Very giving, had a lot of grace and a huge family.”
She mentioned that her mother had been walking Opal Cliffs for 25 years.
